Shirt with UV Protection Collar

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a shirt having an ultraviolet (“UV”) protection collar. The UV protection collar of the shirt covers the majority of the back of the neck to protect it from harmful UV radiation and cool the back of the neck. The UV protection collar includes a collar is attached to a collar band, which is attached to the shirt. The collar is tallest at the center to cover the majority of the back of the neck and tapers towards the edges. The shirt and the UV protection collar is constructed of fabric having at least UPF 50+ rating, four-way stretch capabilities, and moisture wicking properties. The UV protection collar is made up of multiple layers of the fabric to enhance its UV protection and cooling properties.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/374,608 entitled “Shirt with UV Protection Collar,”filed Aug. 12, 2016.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sports apparel. The presentinvention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to ultravioletradiation blocking sports apparel. The present invention relates moreparticularly, though not exclusively, with ultraviolet radiationblocking shirts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Being outside has always been an essential part of life. People gooutside to travel, people go outside as part of their jobs, and peoplego outside for leisure. Being outside allows people to enjoy the warmthof the sun and its health benefits. Vitamin D is activated in a person'sbody when their skin is exposed to sunlight. Recent medical studiessuggest that just a half hour or more of exposure to sunlight will causean enormous amount of the vitamin to circulate in your bloodstream,which is crucial for bone and immune system health. However, too muchsunlight can be deadly.

As people spend more and more time outside, they are being exposed tosunlight for prolonged periods of time. Sunlight is a portion of theelectromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in particular infrared,visible, and ultraviolet radiation. Prolonged exposure to ultravioletradiation from the sun causes certain effects to the skin, the mostcommon being a skin tan. Skin tans occurs when an increase in the darkpigment inside skin cells called melanocytes occurs, and is an automaticresponse mechanism of the body to sufficient exposure to ultravioletradiation from the sun or from artificial sunlamps. Short-termoverexposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation causes a skin burn.However, long-term overexposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation mayhave even more severe effects and is known to be associated with thedevelopment of skin cancer, skin aging, immune suppression, and eyediseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Too much sun, either from cumulative daily exposure, or intermittent,intense exposure put people at extreme risk of permanently damagingtheir skin, causing skin cancer, even life-threatening versions. Thedamage caused by lying in the sun is cumulative, that's why cancers tendto occur later in life, and why overexposure to ultraviolet radiationbeginning early in our lives can have such a dramatic impact on ourchances of developing skin cancer. Melanoma is the sixth most commonfatal skin malignancy in the United States, responsible for 4% of allcancer deaths and 6 of every 7 skin cancer-related deaths. One in fiveAmericans will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetimes,which means that each year there are at least one million new cases inthe U.S. alone. Non-melanoma skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma andsquamous cell carcinoma are also on the rise, with two million new casesevery year.

Even though there are harmful effects to prolonged exposure to sunlight,people are spending more and more time outdoors. Popular among people istanning, where people purposefully expose themselves to prolongedperiods of sunlight to achieve the darkening of their skin. People alsospend time doing outdoor activities and as a result they are exposed toprolonged periods of sunlight. Outdoor sports such as baseball, soccer,football, and golf are played outdoors and require them to be in directsunlight for prolonged periods of time; anywhere from an hour to sixhours. Dependent on the sport being played, the uniform may help blocksome of the skins exposure from the sun. However, it is often that theuniforms do a poor job of protecting the skin. Particularly, uniforms donot adequately block ultraviolet radiation from reaching the skin.Additionally, uniforms are not made to protect the back of the neck.Shirts are made with neck openings that stop at the neckline leaving theentirety of the neck exposed. Shirts with collars do not provide anymeaningful blocking of the sunlight from reaching the entirety of theneck.

In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide apparelcapable of blocking sunlight. It would further be advantageous toprovide apparel capable of blocking sunlight from a user's neck withoutbeing obtrusive to the wearer. It would further be advantageous toprovide a shirt capable of blocking sunlight from a user's neck.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is a shirt having an ultraviolet (“UV”) protectioncollar. The UV protection collar of the shirt is designed to protect theback of the neck of a user from harmful UV radiation. The UV protectioncollar includes a top collar, a top collar band, an under collar, and anunder collar band. The top collar and the under collar together form thecollar and the top collar band and under collar band together form thecollar band. The collar is tallest at the center and tapers towards theedges. The collar is attached to the collar band to create the UVprotection collar, which is attached to the shirt. The shirt and the UVprotection collar is constructed of fabric having at least a UPF 50rating, four-way stretch capabilities, and moisture wicking properties.The UV protection collar is made up of multiple layers of the fabric toenhance its UV protection properties.

As the UV protection collar is folded, the shape of the top collarallows the collar to make a substantially straight edge where the collarfolds down from the collar band. The center of the collar is the tallestand allows the back portion of the collar to span the majority of theback of the neck of the person when folded down. The collar providescomplete coverage of the back of the neck to protect the neck from UVradiation. As the collar is folded down, the collar overlaps the collarband. This provides four layers of UV protection: the top collar, theunder collar, the top collar band, and the under collar band. Further,the material used for the top collar, the under collar, the top collarband, and the under collar band has at least a UPF 50 rating for sunblocking thereby providing unequalled UV radiation blocking whencompared with a single layer of fabric.

The fabric utilized for the UV protection collar also has moisturewicking and four-way stretch capabilities. Since the UV protectioncollar covers the entirety of the back of the neck, the moisture wickingcapabilities of the material will allow the perspiration to be absorbedby the UV protection collar and evaporate. The evaporation of theperspiration by the UV protection collar will cool the neck of the userdue to evaporative cooling and also remove any discomfort caused byexcess perspiration lingering on the skin. The four-way stretchcapability of the fabric used in the UV protection collar provides acollar that is comfortable for the wearer. The UV protection collar isnot overly stiff and allows for the uninhibited movement of the neck.Since the UV protection collar may lie on the back of the neck when theshirt with UV protection collar is worn, the stretch material willstretch or rotate with the neck when the person rotates their neck.

By having the collar being its tallest at the center and taperingtowards the edges, the unique shape of the collar provides for a tallercollar at the back and for edge dimensions similar to those of standardcollars. The visuals of the collar from the front are visually similarto that of a shirt with regular sized collar without any definingindications of the taller back portion of the collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be moreclearly perceived from the following detailed description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a shirt with ultraviolet protection collar;

FIG. 2 is a back view of the shirt with ultraviolet protection collar;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the top collar of the ultraviolet protectionshirt collar;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the top collar band of the ultravioletprotection shirt collar;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the under collar of the ultraviolet protectionshirt collar;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the under collar band of the ultravioletprotection shirt collar;

FIG. 7 is a view of the UV protection collar showing the top collar andthe top collar band;

FIG. 8 is a view of the UV protection collar showing the under collarand the under collar band;

FIG. 9 is a back view of a person wearing the shirt with ultravioletprotection collar;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a person wearing the shirt with ultravioletprotection collar;

FIG. 11a shows the UV Transmission characteristics of a fabric in dryconditions;

FIG. 11b shows the UV transmission characteristics of the fabric in FIG.11a in wet conditions;

FIG. 12a shows the UV Transmission characteristics of an alternativefabric in dry conditions;

FIG. 12b shows the UV transmission characteristics of the fabric in FIG.12a in wet conditions;

FIG. 13a shows the UV Transmission characteristics of anotheralternative fabric in dry conditions; and

FIG. 13b shows the UV transmission characteristics of the fabric in FIG.13a in wet conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the shirt with ultraviolet (“UV”)protection collar is shown and generally designated 10. The shirt withultraviolet protection collar 10 includes the UV protection collar 100and the shirt 300. The shirt 300, described in conjunction with FIG. 2,includes a body 302, sleeves 330, and placket 340. The body 302 includestwo pieces of fabric sewn together to form a tubular shaped body 302with a hem 314 with sweep 306, a neck opening 316 with neck width 318,and armholes 320 with armhole circumference 322. The body 302 has achest width 304, sweep 306, a front length 308, a back length 310, andshoulder length 312. The neck opening 316 has a front neck drop 324 anda back neck drop 326. The slits 328 are formed on either side of thebody 302 adjacent the hem 314 and extend a vent opening length 329.

Attached to each of the two armholes 320, are the sleeves 330. Sleeves330 is a single piece of fabric sewn together to form a tubular shapewith sleeve armhole circumference 332 (not shown) equal to armholecircumference 322 of the body 302 at one end and tapering to sleeveopening 334 at the opposite end. The sleeve 330 has sleeve length 336and at approximately the midpoint of the sleeves 330 is bicep width 338.The placket 340 is attached to the front of the body 302 and includes aninner layer 342 (not shown) and an outer layer 344. The inner layer 342and outer layer 344 of placket 340 has a length 346 and width 347. Theouter layer 344 is formed with button holes 348 and buttons 349 areattached to the inner layer 342. Attached to the body 302 at the neckopening 316 is the UV protection shirt collar 100.

The shirt 300 including the body 302, sleeves 330, and placket 340 areconstructed of fabric having at least a UPF 50+ rating, four-way stretchcapabilities, and moisture wicking properties. Ultraviolet ProtectionFactor or UPF represents the ratio of the average effective UV radiationirradiance transmitted and calculated through air to the average effectUV radiation irradiance transmitted and calculated through fabric.Standard summer fabrics have a UPF rating of approximately six and sunprotective clothing typically have a UPF rating of approximately 30,which means that only 1 out of approximately 30 units of UV radiationwill pass through (approximately 3%). The fabric material used for theshirt 300 including the body 302, sleeves 330, and placket 340, andcollar 100 has at least a UPF rating of 50+, which is almost double therating of standard sun protective clothing. By using the fabric with atleast a UPF rating of 50+, only 1 out of approximately 50 units of UVradiation will pass through (approximately 2%).

The fabric also has moisture wicking and four-way stretch capabilities.Since the shirt 300 covers the entirety of the torso, the moisturewicking capabilities of the material will allow the perspiration of thetorso to be absorbed by the fabric and evaporate. The evaporation of theperspiration will cool the torso of the user due to evaporative coolingand also remove any discomfort caused by excess perspiration lingeringon the skin. The four-way stretch capability of the fabric provides ashirt that is comfortable for the wearer.

In a preferred embodiment, the fabric used in the shirt with UVprotection collar 10 has a greater than UPF 50+ rating for UVprotection. The fabric is a knitted fabric made of 87% polyester and 13%elastane. The fabric has a mean UPF of 920 with a standard deviation of69.0 in dry conditions. In dry conditions the fabric has a UV-A percenttransmittance of 0.31% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.69% with a UV-Bpercent transmittance of 0.08% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.92%. Thefabric has a mean UPF of 861 with a standard deviation of 76.7 in wetconditions. In wet conditions the fabric has a UV-A percenttransmittance of 0.32% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.68% with a UV-Bpercent transmittance of 0.09% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.91%. FIG.11 a shows the UV Transmission characteristics in dry conditions andFIG. 11b shows the UV transmission characteristics in wet conditions.

Another fabric that may be used in the shirt with UV protection collar10 is a knitted fabric made of 90.5% polyester and 9.5% elastane. Thefabric has a mean UPF of 1898 with a standard deviation of 150.5 in dryconditions. In dry conditions the fabric has a UV-A percenttransmittance of 0.03% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.97% with a UV-Bpercent transmittance of 0.05% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.95%. Thefabric has a mean UPF of 1494 with a standard deviation of 185.2 in wetconditions. In wet conditions the fabric has a UV-A percenttransmittance of 0.03% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.97% with a UV-Bpercent transmittance of 0.06% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.94%. FIG.12a shows the UV Transmission characteristics in dry conditions and FIG.12b shows the UV transmission characteristics in wet conditions.

Another fabric that may be used in the shirt with UV protection collar10 is a knitted fabric made of 92% polyester and 8% elastane. The fabrichas a mean UPF of 109 with a standard deviation of 12.8 in dryconditions. In dry conditions the fabric has a UV-A percenttransmittance of 1.2% and UV-A percent blocking of 98.80% with a UV-Bpercent transmittance of 0.88% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.12%. Thefabric has a mean UPF of 87 with a standard deviation of 0.7 in wetconditions. In wet conditions the fabric has a UV-A percenttransmittance of 1.48% and UV-A percent blocking of 98.52% with a UV-Bpercent transmittance of 1.11% and UV-B percent blocking of 98.89%. FIG.13a shows the UV Transmission characteristics in dry conditions and FIG.13b shows the UV transmission characteristics in wet conditions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the top collar 110 is shown. The top collar 110is a top collar fabric panel 112 having a top edge 114 formed with a topedge curvature 116, a bottom edge 118 formed with a bottom edgecurvature 120, a right edge 122 and a left edge 126. The top edge 114has a top edge length 130 extending from edge to edge of the top edge114. The bottom edge 118 has a bottom edge length 132 extending fromedge to edge of the bottom edge 118. The right edge 122 extends betweenthe top edge 114 and the bottom edge 118 and has a right edge length124. The left edge 126 extends between the top edge 114 and the bottomedge 118 and has a left edge length 128. At the center of the top collarfabric panel 112, the top edge 114 and bottom edge 118 is separated by atop collar center back distance 134. The top collar center back distance134 is larger than the right edge length 124 and the left edge length128, where the right edge length 124 and the left edge length 128 areequal. The bottom edge curvature 120 is larger than the top edgecurvature 116. The top collar fabric panel 112 is tallest at the centerand tapers towards the edges. In the preferred embodiment of the topcollar 110, the top collar center back distance 134 is 3.25 inches, theright edge length 124 is 2.5 inches, the left edge length is 2.5 inches,and the top edge length 130 and bottom edge length 132 may vary.Alternatively, the top collar center back distance 134 is 3.25 inches,the right edge length 124 is 2.25 inches, the left edge length 128 is2.25 inches, and the top edge length 130 and bottom edge length 132 mayvary.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the top collar band 140 is shown. The topcollar band 140 is a top collar band fabric panel 142 having a top edge144 formed with a top edge curvature 146, a bottom edge 148 formed witha bottom edge curvature 150, a right edge 152 and a left edge 156. Thetop edge 144 has a top edge length 160 extending from edge to edge ofthe top edge 144. The bottom edge 148 has a bottom edge length 162extending from edge to edge of the bottom edge 148. The right edge 152extends between the top edge 144 and the bottom edge 148 and has a rightedge length 154. The right edge 152 includes a slight curvature 153adjacent the bottom edge 148. The left edge 156 extends between the topedge 144 and the bottom edge 148 and has a left edge length 158. Theleft edge 156 includes a slight curvature 157 adjacent the bottom edge148. At the center of the top collar band fabric panel 142, the top edge144 and bottom edge 148 is separated by a top collar band center backdistance 164. The top collar band center back distance 164 is largerthan the right edge length 154 and the left edge length 158, where theright edge length 154 and the left edge length 158 are equal. The topcollar band fabric panel 142 is tallest at the center and tapers towardsthe edges. The bottom edge curvature 150 and the top edge curvature 146are oriented opposite to one another. In the preferred embodiment of thetop collar band 140, top collar band center back distance 164 is 2.5inches.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the under collar 210 is shown. The under collar210 is a under collar fabric panel 212 having a top edge 214 formed witha top edge curvature 216, a bottom edge 218 formed with a bottom edgecurvature 220, a right edge 222 and a left edge 226. The top edge 214has a top edge length 230 extending from edge to edge of the top edge214. The bottom edge 218 has a bottom edge length 232 extending fromedge to edge of the bottom edge 218. The right edge 222 extends betweenthe top edge 214 and the bottom edge 218 and has a right edge length224. The left edge 226 extends between the top edge 214 and the bottomedge 218 and has a left edge length 228. At the center of the top collarfabric panel 212, the top edge 214 and bottom edge 218 is separated by atop collar center back distance 234. The top collar center back distance234 is larger than the right edge length 224 and the left edge length228, where the right edge length 224 and the left edge length 228 areequal. The bottom edge curvature 220 is larger than the top edgecurvature 216. The under collar fabric panel 212 is tallest at thecenter and tapers towards the edges.

Attached to the under collar fabric panel 212 are collar stay facings.Adjacent to the right edge 222 of the under collar fabric panel 212,right collar stay panel 238 with length 235 is attached. The rightcollar stay panel 238 is attached to the under collar fabric panel 212with a constructed opening for a right collar stay slit 239. Adjacent tothe left edge 226 of the under collar fabric panel 212, left collar staypanel 236 with a length equal to length 235 is attached. The left collarstay panel 236 is attached to the under collar fabric panel 212 with aconstructed opening for a right collar stay slit 237.

The under collar fabric panel 212 is substantially similar to the topcollar fabric panel 112 and may be sized smaller or larger than the topcollar fabric panel 112. The under collar fabric panel 212 and the topcollar fabric panel 112 are attached together to form the collar 180.The double layer of fabric allows for the construction of a stiff andflexible collar 180. The additional collar stay panels 238 and 236adjacent the right edge 222 and left edge 226, respectively, furtherstiffens the edges of the collar 180. The addition of collar stays 270in the collar stay slits 237 and 239 further stiffens the edges andprevents them from curling up. Additionally, the double layer ofmaterial used to form the collar 180 provides double the protectionagainst UV radiation. In the preferred embodiment of the under collar210, the under collar center back distance 234 is 3.25 inches, the rightedge length 224 is 2.5 inches, the left edge length 228 is 2.5 inches,and the top edge length 230 and bottom edge length 230 may vary.Alternatively, the under collar center back distance 234 is 3.25 inches,the right edge length 224 is 2.25 inches, the left edge length 228 is2.25 inches, and the top edge length 230 and bottom edge length 230 mayvary.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the under collar band 240 is shown. The undercollar band 240 is a under collar band fabric panel 242 having a topedge 244 formed with a top edge curvature 246, a bottom edge 248 formedwith a bottom edge curvature 250, a right edge 252, and a left edge 256.The top edge 244 has a top edge length 260 extending from edge to edgeof the top edge 244. The bottom edge 248 has a bottom edge length 262extending from edge to edge of the bottom edge 248. The right edge 252extends between the top edge 244 and the bottom edge 248 and has a rightedge length 254. The right edge 252 includes a slight curvature 253adjacent the bottom edge 248. The left edge 256 extends between the topedge 244 and the bottom edge 248 and has a left edge length 258. Theleft edge 256 includes a slight curvature 257 adjacent the bottom edge248. At the center of the under collar band fabric panel 242, the topedge 244 and bottom edge 248 is separated by a under collar band centerback distance 264. The under collar band center back distance 264 islarger than the right edge length 254 and the left edge length 258,where the right edge length 254 and the left edge length 258 are equal.The under collar fabric panel 212 is tallest at the center and taperstowards the edges. The bottom edge curvature 250 and the top edgecurvature 246 are oriented opposite to one another.

The under collar band fabric panel 242 is substantially similar to thetop collar band fabric panel 142 and may be sized smaller or larger thanthe top collar band fabric panel 142. The under collar band fabric panel242 and the top collar band fabric panel 142 are attached together toform the collar band 280. The double layer of fabric allows for theconstruction of a stiff and flexible collar band 280. In the preferredembodiment of the under collar band 240, under collar band center backdistance 264 is 2.5 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the UV protection shirt collar 100 showing thetop collar 110 and the top collar band 140 is shown. The UV protectioncollar 100 includes a collar 180 and a collar band 280. The collar 180is constructed with the top collar 110 and the under collar 210 wherethe top collar fabric panel 112 is attached to the under collar fabricpanel 240 through stitching located adjacent the edges. The collar band280 is constructed with the top collar band 140 and the under collarband 240 where the top collar band fabric panel 142 is attached to theunder collar band fabric panel 242 through stitching located adjacentthe edges.

The bottom edge 118 of the top collar fabric panel 112 is attachedadjacent to the top edge 144 of the top collar band fabric panel 142, inbetween the top collar band fabric panel 142 and the under collar bandfabric panel 242 of the collar band 280. The top edge length 160 and thebottom edge length 162 of the top collar band fabric material 142 islonger than the top edge length 130 and the bottom edge length 132 ofthe top collar fabric material 112, leaving the right edge 152 and theleft edges 156 of the top collar band fabric material 142 free of thetop collar fabric material 112 where a button hole 172 can be formedadjacent the left edge 156 and a button 174 to be attached adjacent theright edge 152. The double layer of material used to form the collar 180provides double the protection against UV radiation.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the UV protection shirt collar 100 is shownwith the under collar 210 and the under collar band 240. The bottom edge218 of the under collar fabric panel 212 is attached adjacent to the topedge 244 of the under collar band fabric panel 242, in between the topcollar band fabric panel 142 and the under collar band fabric panel 242of the collar band 280. The top edge length 260 and the bottom edgelength 262 of the under collar band fabric material 242 is longer thanthe top edge length 230 and the bottom edge length 232 of the undercollar fabric material 212, leaving the right edge 252 and the leftedges 256 of the under collar band fabric material 242 free of the undercollar fabric material 212 where the button hole 172 can be formedadjacent the right edge 252 and the button 174 to be attached adjacentthe left edge 256.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a back view of a person 20 wearing the shirtwith UV protection collar 10 is shown. As shown the collar 180 of the UVprotection shirt collar 100 is folded down over the collar band 280exposing the top collar 110 and hiding the under collar 210. The shapeof the collar 180 is dictated by the curvature of the fabric panels (topcollar 110 and under collar 210) making up the collar 180, which allowsthe collar 180 to make a substantially straight edge where the collar180 folds down from the collar band 280. The top collar band center backdistance 164 of the top collar band 140 and the under collar band centerback distance 264 of the under collar band 240 allows the collar band280 to span the majority of the back of the neck 22 of the person 20.The top collar center back distance 134 of the top collar 110 and theunder collar center back distance 234 of the under collar 210 allows thecollar 180 to span the majority of the back of the neck 22 of the person20 when the collar 180 is folded down. When folded down a portion of thecollar 180 is dedicated to forming the bend, which allows only a portionof the collar 180 to be exposed. The length of the exposed collar 180when folded is referred to as a top collar center back folded distance134A. The top collar center back folded distance 134A of the collar 180provides almost complete coverage of the back of the neck 22 of theperson 20 and protects the neck 22 from UV radiation. The collar band280 and the collar 180 when folded over the collar band 280 provide fourlayers of protection against the sun for the neck area of the person 20.

By having the top collar 110 and under collar 210 being its tallest atthe center and tapering towards the edges, the collar 180 is alsotallest at the center and tapering towards the edges. The unique shapeof the collar 180 resulting from the dimensions of the top collar 110and under collar 210 being its tallest at the center and taperingtowards the edges provides for a taller collar 180 at the center andprovides for edge dimensions that are similar to those of standardcollars. The visuals of the collar 180 from the front (shown in FIG. 10)are visually similar to that of a regular sized collar without anydefining indications of the taller back portion of the collar 180 at thetop collar center back folded distance 134A.

As the collar 180 is folded down, the collar 180 overlaps the collarband 280. Due to the shorter back neck drop 226 which brings the shirtbody 202 higher up the back, the collar band 280 also covers themajority of the neck with the portion of the collar 180 dedicated toforming the bend covering the remaining exposed area of the neck. Thisprovides four layers of UV protection: the top collar 110, the undercollar 210, the top collar band 140, and the under collar band 240.Further, with the material used for the top collar 110, the under collar210, the top collar band 140, and the under collar band 240 has at leasta UPF 50+ rating for sun blocking thereby providing unequalled blockingwhen compared with a single layer of fabric. By having four overlappinglayers of UPF 50+ rated fabric, only 1 out of approximately 200 units ofradiation will pass through (approximately 0.5%) whereas a single layerof UPF 50+ rated fabric will allow 1 out of approximately 50 units of UVradiation will pass through (approximately 2%).

The fabric utilized for the UV protection collar 100 also has a moisturewicking capability. Since the UV protection collar 100 covers themajority of the back of the neck and is in contact with the neck, themoisture wicking capabilities of the material will allow theperspiration to be absorbed by the UV protection collar 100 andevaporate. Due to the UV protection collar 100 having the collar 180 andthe collar band 180, the volume of material available to absorb theperspiration of the neck is at least doubled compared to a single layerof material. Additionally, the exposed surface area of the UV protectioncollar 100 available for the absorbed perspiration to evaporate is atleast double the surface area of the neck that it is in contact with.This provides for quicker evaporation of the perspiration compared tothe neck alone, or with a material that has an exposed surface area onlyequal to the surface area of the neck. The evaporation of theperspiration by the UV protection collar 100 will cool the neck of theuser due to evaporative cooling and also remove any discomfort caused byexcess perspiration lingering on the skin. Since the carotid arteriesare located in the neck close to the surface of the skin, cooling theback of the neck will cool the blood circulating through the carotidarteries. The cooled blood in the carotid arteries is then circulatedthroughout the body providing a cooling affect for the entire body. Dueto the minimal decrease in its UV blocking capabilities when wet and theuse of multiply layers of material, the UV protection collar 100 stillprovides UPF 50+ protection.

The fabric utilized for the UV protection collar 100 also has a four-waystretch capability. The four-way stretch capability of the fabric usedin the UV protection collar 100 provides a collar that is comfortablefor the wearer. The UV protection collar 100 is not overly stiff andallows for the uninhibited movement of the neck 22. Since the UVprotection collar 100 may lie on the back of the neck 22 when the shirtwith UV protection collar 10 is worn, the stretch material will stretchor rotate with the neck 22 when the person 20 rotates their neck 22.

The UV protection collar 100 of the shirt with UV protection collar 10is designed to cover the majority of the back of the neck 22 of theperson 20 wearing the shirt with UV protection collar 10. The averagelength of a human neck is 3.9-4.7 inches. The UV protection collar 100covers 67-84 percent of the back of a human neck. It is contemplatedthat the UV protection collar 100 can cover up to 100 percent of theback of the neck of a person. In a preferred embodiment of the UVprotection collar 100, the top collar center back distance 134 is 3.25inches, the right edge length 124 is 2.5 inches, and the left edgelength is 2.5 inches. Alternatively, the top collar center back distance134 is 3.25 inches, the right edge length 124 is 2.25 inches, and theleft edge length 128 is 2.25 inches. Correspondingly, the top collarcenter back folded distance 134A may be 3.15 inches depending on thefolded area of the collar 180. It is contemplated that the top collarcenter back folded distance 134A may be between 3.00 inches and 5.00inches, depending on the length of the top collar center back distance134 and the folded area of the collar 180. The UV protection collar 100provides almost complete coverage of the back of the neck 22 of theperson 20 and protects the neck 22 from UV radiation.

The collar band 280 and the collar 180 when folded over the collar band280 provide four layers of protection against the sun for the neck 22 ofthe person 20. The shorter right edge length 124 and left edge length128 provides for front edge dimensions and visuals that are similar tothose of standard collars without any defining indications of the tallerback portion of the UV protection collar 100. The UV protection collar100 provides a visual illusion of a regular sized collar when viewedfrom the front, while providing almost full coverage of the majority ofthe back of the neck 22 of the person 20 to protect from harmful UVradiation.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a front view of a person wearing the shirtwith UV protection collar 10 is shown. The top collar center back foldeddistance 134A of the collar 180 provides almost complete coverage of theback of the neck of the person 20 and protects the neck from UVradiation. As the UV protection collar 100 wraps around the neck of theperson 20, the UV protection collar 100 tapers from the top collarcenter back folded distance 134A to a right folded edge 122A with rightfolded edge length 124A and to a left folded edge 126A with left foldededge length 128A. The unique shape of the UV protection collar 100resulting from the dimensions of the collar 180 and collar band 280provides for front edge dimensions that are similar to those of standardcollars, also visually similar to that of a regular sized collar,without any defining indications of the taller back portion of the UVprotection collar 100. The UV protection collar 100 provides an illusionof a regular sized collar when viewed from the front, while providingalmost full coverage of the majority of the back of the neck of theperson 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, FIGS. 12A and 12B, and FIGS. 13A and13B, graphs showing the dry and wet UV transmission characteristics ofthree particular materials are shown. As shown, the UV transmissionscharacteristics of the three materials are marginally affected by thepresence of water. This allows the UV protection collar 100 to maintainits UV transmission characteristics while it cools down the neck of awearer of the shirt with UV protection collar 10. The use of the threeparticular materials are not meant to be limiting and it is contemplatedthat other types of materials with similar dry and wet UV transmissioncharacteristics may be used for the shirt with UV protection collar 10.

While the shirt with UV protection shirt collar 10 of the presentinvention as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable ofobtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated,it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of embodiments ofthe invention and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown other than as described in theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A UV protection collar shirt comprising: a shirt; and a UVprotection collar attached to the shirt, wherein the UV protectioncollar comprises a collar attached to a collar band and the collar isfolded over the collar band creating a right folded edge length, a leftfolded edge length, and a center back folded distance on the foldedcollar, wherein the center back folded distance is greater than theright folded edge length and the left folded edge length.
 2. The UVprotection collar shirt of claim 1, wherein the UV protection collar isa made of a material that is made from a material having at least UPF 50rating and moisture wicking capability.
 3. The UV protection collarshirt of claim 2, wherein the collar includes two overlapping layers ofthe material and the collar band includes two overlapping layers of thematerial, wherein the UV protection collar has four overlapping layersof the material when the collar is folded over the collar band.
 4. TheUV protection collar shirt of claim 3, wherein the center back foldeddistance of the UV protection collar is 1.3 to 1.5 times taller than theright folded edge length and the left folded edge length.
 5. The UVprotection collar shirt of claim 3, wherein the UV protection collarcovers 65 to 100 percent of a back of a human neck.
 6. A UV protectioncollar shirt comprising: a shirt; and a UV protection collar configuredto simultaneously prevent sunburn and cool a neck of a person attachedto the shirt, wherein the UV protection collar comprises a top collarband attached to an under collar band creating a collar band having acollar band left edge length, a collar band right edge length, and acollar band center back distance, wherein the collar band center backdistance is greater than the collar band left edge length and the collarband right edge length, an under collar attached to a top collarcreating a collar attached to the collar band, said collar having acollar left edge length, a collar right edge length, and a collar centerback distance, wherein the collar center back distance is greater thanthe collar left edge length and the collar right edge length, andwherein the collar is folded over the collar band creating a left foldededge length, a right folded edge length, and a center back foldeddistance on the folded collar, wherein the center back folded distanceis greater than the left folded edge length and the right folded edgelength.
 7. The UV protection collar shirt of claim 6, wherein the topcollar band, the under collar band, the top collar, and the under collaris made from a material having at least UPF 50 rating and a moisturewicking capability.
 8. The UV protection collar shirt of claim 7,wherein the collar folded over the collar band provides four overlappinglayers of the material for the UV protection collar.
 9. The UVprotection collar shirt of claim 8, wherein said collar furthercomprises a right collar stay panel attached to the under collaradjacent the collar right edge length and a left collar stay panelattached to the under collar adjacent the collar left edge length,wherein a right collar stay is inserted between the right collar staypanel and the under collar and a left collar stay is inserted betweenthe left collar stay panel and the under collar to provide stiffness tothe collar.
 10. The UV protection collar shirt of claim 9, wherein thecenter back folded distance of the UV protection collar is 1.3 to 1.5times taller than the right folded edge length and the left folded edgelength.
 11. The UV protection collar shirt of claim 9, wherein the UVprotection collar covers more than 60 percent of a back of a human neck.12. The UV protection collar shirt of claim 9, wherein the center backfolded distance is 3 to 5 inches, the collar left edge length is 2 to2.5 inches, and the collar right edge length equals the collar left edgelength.
 13. The UV protection collar shirt of claim 9, wherein thecollar left edge length is 2.5 inches, the collar right edge length is2.5 inches, and the collar center back distance 3.25 inches.
 14. The UVprotection collar shirt of claim 9, wherein the collar left edge lengthis 2.25 inches, the collar right edge length is 2.25 inches, and thecollar center back distance 3.25 inches.
 15. A method of simultaneouslypreventing sunburn and cooling a back of a neck of a person, the methodcomprising the steps of: providing a UV protection collar attached to ashirt, the UV protection collar comprises a collar attached to a collarband and the collar is folded over the collar band creating a rightfolded edge length, a left folded edge length, and a center back foldeddistance on the folded collar wherein the center back folded distance isgreater than the right folded edge length and the left folded edgelength, and wherein the UV protection collar is constructed of amaterial having at least UPF 50 rating and a moisture wickingcapability; wearing the shirt with the attached UV protection collar onthe person; positioning the center back folded distance on the foldedcollar at the center of the back of the neck of the person to cover amajority of the back of the neck of the person to block UV radiationfrom the back of the neck of the person; and placing the UV protectioncollar against the back of the neck of the person to provide evaporativecooling effects to the back of the neck of the person by absorbing andevaporating perspiration from the back of the neck of the person withthe UV protection collar.
 16. The method of simultaneously preventingsunburn and cooling a back of a neck of a person of claim 15, whereinthe collar band comprises a top collar band attached to an under collarband and having a collar band left edge length, a collar band right edgelength, and a collar band center back distance, wherein the collar bandcenter back distance is greater than the collar band left edge lengthand the collar band right edge length.
 17. The method of simultaneouslypreventing sunburn and cooling a back of a neck of a person of claim 16,wherein the collar comprises an under collar attached to a top collarand having a collar left edge length, a collar right edge length, and acollar center back distance, wherein the collar center back distance isgreater than the collar left edge length and the collar right edgelength.
 18. The method of simultaneously preventing sunburn and coolinga back of a neck of a person of claim 17, wherein the top collar band,the under collar band, the top collar, and the under collar is made froma material having at least UPF 50 rating and a moisture wickingcapability.
 19. The method of simultaneously preventing sunburn andcooling a back of a neck of a person of claim 18, wherein said collarfurther comprises a right collar stay panel attached to the under collaradjacent the collar right edge length and a left collar stay panelattached to the under collar adjacent the collar left edge length,wherein a right collar stay is inserted between the right collar staypanel and the under collar and a left collar stay is inserted betweenthe left collar stay panel and the under collar to provide stiffness tothe collar.
 20. The method of simultaneously preventing sunburn andcooling a back of a neck of a person of claim 20, wherein the centerback folded distance is 3 to 5 inches, the collar left edge length is 2to 2.5 inches, and the collar right edge length equals the collar leftedge length.